New initiatives strengthen Case IH aftersales farm machinery support

Case IH has renewed its commitment to after farm machinery sales service and support with a number of new initiatives designed to provide faster turnaround on spare parts. They include an expansion of the national parts warehouse located in St Marys, Sydney, and increased functionality of the online parts catalogue.

“Case IH provides a range of aftersales support options to customers via our dealer network and we’re constantly looking at how we can improve these services,” said Stuart Brown, Case IH Marketing Manager.

In keeping with this, the company is close to completing a major expansion of its national parts warehouse. The warehouse at St Marys, Sydney, is being expanded by 1,500 square metres which will increase parts capacity by 15 per cent. Construction commenced late last year and is expected to be completed by August.

Dean Hopping, General Manager, Parts Operations, said the expansion will ensure faster delivery of spare parts. “The parts warehouse is currently 10,000 square metres and holds 150,000 line items,” Dean said. “The increased capacity will enable us to carry a greater number of fast moving parts to improve turnaround time and get farmers back to work sooner should something go wrong.”

Case IH has also recently upgraded its online farm machinery parts catalogue, an internet based system that enables customers to browse for spare parts 24/7, build and submit their order via their local Case IH dealer. In the past, orders were faxed; however the system can now be linked to each dealer’s website.

“Dealers who setup this option will be able to receive parts orders from customers directly via email, which further simplifies and speeds the parts ordering process,” Stuart said.

Upgrades have also been made to enable dealers to select the right part for their customer’s equipment based on the unique specifications of the machine. “Previously, dealers would browse for and select parts based on the unit’s model number; however the new system allows dealers to enter the unique serial number of the customer’s machine, ensuring the right match between the machine and the chosen part, including any modifications and special equipment fitted.

“In addition, the data in the parts catalogue is now updated monthly instead of quarterly, enabling dealers to recommend the most up-to-date items at all times – including parts to upgrade older machines to newer specification.”

These support systems coupled with initiatives like the Case IH ProHarvest Trailer - a range of critical combine support parts that takes to the road in Eastern Australia during harvest each year - will ensure customers can maximise the time spent in the field. The ProHarvest Trailer carries a selection of slow moving parts that dealers may not ordinarily carry to ensure any downtime in the busy harvest is minimised.

“By supporting farmers in the field, online and through our parts warehouse, we’ve got farmers covered,” Stuart said. “The end result is easy and reliable access to parts to keep their equipment on the job right through the year.”